Harry Ngata: My top five soccer highlights of 2010

This past week many local sport media have recapped the year that was on the NZ sporting landscape.

2010 will hold a special place for all football fans. For what it's worth this is what my top five football highlights of 2010 looks like.

5. Barcelona v Arsenal
Champions League quarter final 2nd leg at the Estadio Nou Camp Barcelona v Arsenal in April. For the life of me I cannot recall a recent match like it. It was football heaven especially if you were a Barca fan.

The Spaniards demolished the Gunners 4-1 with that magical genius Lionel Messi scoring all four goals. If you ever want to replay a football performance to aspiring young football wannabes emphasizing what football should be played like then this is top of my recommended list. Messi was that good he even scored his second goal with his right foot.

Football is a simple game complicated by those who play it. It certainly looks like Barcelona are from another planet however you look at the way they play its very simple. First touch, pass and move. These three basic components are fundamental to any level of football. The difference being their technique, pace and execution more often than not makes for a tough night at the office for opposing teams.

4. Lionel Messi
Does one player make a team? Depends if you have Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Villa to name a few wearing the same shirt. Although he didn't shine at the World cup in South Africa I think he is head and shoulders above his peers. He can do unbelievable things with a football and like every quality left footed player the right foot is just for standing on.

Think back - Brazilian great Riverlino, Man Utd legend George Best or in my opinion the greatest, Diego Maradona.

3. Phoenix late run
The Wellington Phoenix ignites the football fraternity back in late February and early March with an inspiring performance of knock out football. Their run into the finals was outstanding an unmatched. They fought out a 1-1 draw at Westpac Stadium with Perth Glory then a week later lifted themselves to another level in beating the visiting Newcastle Jets 3-1 before bowing out to eventual champions Sydney FC in the preliminary final. The first two games at Westpac Stadium were in front of sell out crowds of 30,000 plus.

2. The emergence of young NZ talent
In my opinion our football destiny lies in the hands of some quite exceptional individuals. Tommy Smith could potentially wear the armband and along with Winston Reid and Chris Wood are obvious candidates to lead our national team through Brazil in 2014 and beyond. We also have arguably two of the hottest properties in the Hyundai A League in live wires Costa Barbarouses and Marco Rojas. NZ football fans could be in for a wonderful ride with this sort of quality gaining maturity and experience.

1. All Whites World Cup performance
The obvious choice. Ryan Nelsen made a comment that the whole journey from start to finish may not be replicated. It was that intense and surreal at times. He may be right. I know for one thing that it has inspired thousands of kids to want to be an All White or Football Fern. They can be extremely proud that they have reinvigorated football both on and off the pitch.

If 2010 was intense 2011 provides more globally visibility for our game with both the UN 17 and UN 20 World Cups in Mexico and Columbia respectively. Both these squads should be chomping at the bit to replicate the senior team with qualification the first goal. The Football Ferns are off to the Women's World Cup in Germany and guess what, we start the qualification campaign for Brazil 2014 in October/November. 2010 was an exceptional year in NZ Football. Let's hope we can improve all aspects of our code so we can all relive that World Cup feeling at all levels of the game.